Shoe stretching, shoe lengthening and vamp raising apparatus



SHOE STRETCHING, SHOE LENGTHENING AND VAMP RAISING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1953 F. M. DORE Aug. 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l [222/ mi [Va mi 17,202": 1:44AM; a /iiormy Aug. 2, 1955 v F. M. DORE SHOE STRETCHING, SHOE LENGTHENING AND VAMP RAISING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 T Wm @Hg 4 SHOE STRETCHING, SHOE LENGTHENING AND VAMP RAISING APPARATUS F. M. DORE Aug. 2, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 15, 1953 I [nae/2Z0)" [hm/c fiflare KIM/way United States Patent SHOE STRETCH-ENG, SHOE LENGTHENING AND VAMP RAISING APPARATUS Frank M. Dore, Boston, Mass.

Application April 15, 1953, Serial No. 348,971

8 Claims. (6 12-1285) This invention relates to a shoe stretching apparatus or device which is adapted to lengthen a shoe while reshaping the entire shoe, including its toe portion, there being provision for raising the vamp and for stretching and raising the seam at the throat of the vamp directly over the instep of a foot, and for stretching and raising the back seam over the top edge of the counter, as well as for widening and enlarging the entire shoe, which may be of any of numerous sizes and shapes.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a shoe stretching and shoe lengthening apparatus or device whose forepart may be symmetrical in top plan thereby lo act within a shoe without any distinction being made as to whether the shoe is a right or left foot shoe. The apparatus or device is simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and simple to use, and may be made of any suitable materials but the body portions and separable attachments preferably will be made of an available plastic material or of cast aluminum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe stretching and shoe lengthening apparatus or device which quickly may be converted to effectively stretch and lengthen shoes having substantially different sizes and shapes. According to my invention, pre-formed adapter plate elements may be selectively and removably embodied in the apparatus or device for adapting it for stretching and shaping right foot shoes or, with a difierent adapter plate element, for stretching and shaping left foot shoes. A suitable number of adapter plate elements of dilferent shapes and sizes enable the apparatus or device to effectively accommodate shoes of a wide range of sizes and shapes in conjunction with manually operable mechanism for etfecting the said stretching and lengthening and general re-shaping of any particular shoe. Adapter plate elements may be selectively embodied to enlarge and/or change the shape of the forepart, to raise the vamp, to raise the seam at the throat of the vamp over the instep of a foot, and/or to raise the seam at the rear top edge over the counter of the shoe.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shoe stretching and shoe lengthening apparatus or device wherein a generally last-shaped body comprises a pair of pivotally connected substantially identical forepart sections swingable about their pivot to move the forward end portions of the forepart sections toward and from each other, and a heel section movable toward and from the rear end portions of the forepart sections, there being manually operable means for effecting relative movements of said body sections when said sections are within a shoe.

It is moreover, my purpose and object generally to improve the structure and operative effectiveness of shoe stretching and shoe lengthening mechanisms and devices and especially such mechanisms and devicw which are manually operable to efiect general and special stretching operations within a shoe, or the like.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a shoe stretching and shoe 2,7 14,21 7 Patented Aug. 2, 1 955 lengthening apparatus or device embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the heel section of the apparatus or device separated from the forepart sections;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus or device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus or device of Fig. 1, portions of the forepart sections being broken away to show the locking and releasing screw in its locking position;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the forepart of the apparatus or device of Fig. 4 with a forepart adapter plate eiement thereon for enlarging and changing the shape of the forepart while converting it for stretching and shaping a left foot shoe;

F Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the converted forepart of Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a forepart adapter plate element for enlarging and changing the shape of the forepart while converting it for stretching and shaping a right foot shoe;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the adapter plate element of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the apparatus or device of Fig. 4 with the forepart sections spread laterally apart, and showing a toe-enlarging insert adapter plate mounted at and between the toe ends of the forepart sections, and showing a vamp and seam raising adapter plate mounted upon the forepart sections, and showing also an adapter plate mounted on the heel section of the apparatus or device for stretching the rear top portions and seam over the top edge of the counter and the upper of a shoe;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the apparatus or device of Fig. 12 with the adapter plate elements of Fig. 12 in place thereon;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the vamp and seam raising adapter plate element; and

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the heel section adapter plate.

Referring to the drawings, my improved apparatus or device comprises a forepart having the two forepart sections 10, 12 which are pivotally connected together at their rear end positions, as best seen in Figs. 4, 6 and 12. The pivotal connection of the forepart sections may be effected by a screw 14 which extends between the rear upstanding parts 10, 12' on the forepart sections and which is shown threaded through the laterally projecting ear 10 on forepart section 10, with its lower threaded end engaging loosely in a hole in the laterally projecting ear 12 on forepart section 12, as best seen in Figs. 6 and 7. Forepart section 12 is recessed at 12 for loosely accommodating ear 10 and forepart section 16 is recessed at 10 for loosely accommodating ear 12 which is below the ear 10*.

A one piece rear heel section 16 coacts with forepart sections 10, 12 to provide a three-section last-type body which may be inserted in a shoe in the manner of a shoemakers last. Heel section 16 is mounted on a relatively long manuallly operable rod 18 which extends entirely through the section 16 which is provided with hole 20 for accommodating rod 18. The rod projects a substantial distance rearwardly of section 16 and has a handle part 18 fixed on its rear end. A substantial portion of rod 18, such as two thirds of its length, is threaded at 19, and a portion of hole 20 is interiorly threaded at 21 for engaging the threaded portion 19 of rod 18. Preferably, the rod is provided with double threads at its portion 19.

The forward end of rod 18 is rotatably connected to a cam element 22 which is slidably but non-rotatably mounted within and between the forepart sections 10, 12, the adjacent portions of which are longitudinally grooved at 11 and 13 respectively for reception therein, slidably, of opposite edge portions of cam element 22. The forward end portions of the grooves 11, 13 curve toward each other to provide cam surfaces 11, 13 arranged and adapted to be engaged by cam element 22 when the latter is moved forward between the forepart sections 10, 12.

Heel section 16 has the relatively large and deep cavity 17 in its underside, which effects a substantial saving of material and reduces the weight of section 16. Also, the cavity at 17 accommodates the resilient member 24 which is illustrated as a coil spring engaged around the screw abutment 26 which projects from the bottom wall of cavity 17. One end of coil spring 24 extends forwardly into a cavity 28 within forepart section 19 and is connected to a pin 30 extending across said cavity 28. The other end of coil spring 24 similarly extends forwardly into a cavity 32 within forepart section 12 and is con nected to' a pin 34 extending across said cavity 32. The cavities 28, 32 may be relatively large, for conservation of material and to reduce the weight of the forepart sections 10, 12. It will be apparent that spring 24 constantly biases the heel section 16 toward the forepart sections 10, 12, and constantly maintains the threads of section 16 tight against the threads on actuating rod 18.

A feature of the invention resides in the locking and releasing screw 36 in the forepart sections 10, 12 which is adjustable to lock the forepart sections in their closed together relation of Figs. 3-6 or to free the sections 10, 12 for lateral spreading apart of the forepart sections about the axis of pivot screw 14. As best seen in Fig. 5, screw 36 has a relatively short threaded portion 37 which may be screwed tight into the threaded hole 38 in forepart section 12, with the reduced non-threaded shank 36 of the screw free of the threads in threaded hole 4%) in forepart section 10, and with the head 36 of the screw in the outer countersunk portion 40' of hole 40, engaged against shoulder 40". In this condition of screw 36 the forepart sections 10, 12 are securely locked against being spread apart and rotation of the rod 18 to the right will cause heel section 16 to move rearward away from the forepart sections, assuming that the section 16 is not held against such movement by means later to be described. Hence, with the forepart sections locked by screw 36 against spreading apart, the apparatus or device may be lengthened by rotating rod 18 thereby to stretch and lengthen shoes of any of various sizes.

When screw 36 is unscrewed to an extent which brings its threaded portion 37 entirely within the threaded hole 40 in forepart section 10, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 12, the forepart sections 10, 12 may be spread apart, as in Fig. 12, more or less as may be required or desirable for stretching and shaping the forepart of any particular shoe.

A retaining yoke is pivotally mounted on the heel section 16 for engaging the upstanding portions 10, 12 of the forepart sections 10, 12 when it may be desirable to lock the forepart sections and the heel section against any substantial relative longitudinal movement in response to rotations of actuating rod 18. Preferably, the retaining yoke comprises a rigid wire member 42 extending loosely through one end portion of a stud 44 whose other end portion is threaded at 44' for screwing into the top of heel section 16. Wire member 42 is bent adjacent to opposite sides of stud 44 to provide the two similar arms 42*, 42 whose ends are turned over the opposite reduced ends of a relatively short connecting element 46 whose extreme ends are headed over at 46 to maintain element 46 in position between the ends of the arms 42, 42 of wire member 42. When the forepart sections 10, 12 and the heel section 16 are in contact with each other, the retaining yoke may be swung about stud 44 into and out of retaining engagement with upstanding portions 10, 12 of forepart sections 10, 12. In Figs. 1, 4, 7 and 12 it is shown in retaining position, and in Fig. 2 it is shown disengaged from forepart sections 1% 12 so that the heel section 16 is free to move away from the forepart sections.

It should be noted that the forepart sections 10, 12 coact to produce a forepart which, when viewed in top plan, is symmetrical. According to the invention, right and left adapter plate elements 48, 50 are selectively mountable on the forepart sections to change the size and shape of the forepart of the apparatus or device and to convert the apparatus or device for stretching and shaping the forepart of a right or left shoe. Ordinarily, a suitable number of adapter plate elements 48, 50 of different sizes and shapes will be available for creating any of a variety of shapes and sizes of forepart. Figs. 8 and 9 show an adapter plate 48 in position on the forepart sections 10, 12, increasing the size of the forepart and converting the apparatus or device for stretching and shaping left foot shoes. The forepart sections in Figs. 8 and 9 are locked together by screw 36 against lateral spreading. Obviously, suitably shaped adapter plate elements may be similarly mounted on the forepart sections when they are spread apart more or less. For example a suitable adapter plate element 48 or 50 may be mounted on the spread forepart sections 10, 12 of Fig. 12 to enlarge and change the shape of this forepart. Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively top plan and sideelevation of an adapter plate element 50 for converting the forepart sections 10, 12 for stretching and shaping right foot shoes. The adapter plate elements 48, 50 are maintained in proper position on forepart sections 10, 12 by an inwardly projecting pin 49 thereon which fits within a hole formed by the toe grooves 10", 12 respectively in forepart section 10 and forepart section 12.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 12 and 13, a toe insert element 52 is shown inserted between the spread forepart sections 10, 12 for enlarging the toe. Element 52 has side ribs 52' thereon for engaging in the toe grooves 10, 12 of forepart members 10, 12 to properly locate and maintain element 52 in place. Any suitable number of toe insert elements 52, of different shapes and sizes, may be available for variously changing the size of the toe when the forepart sections are in different spread relationships. Each toe insert element 52 may be approximately 1% inches in length and tapers both in width and depth to fit the space between the toe portions of the forepart sections. The ribs 52 preferably are of length equal to the length of toe grooves 10, 12 in the forepart sections 10, 12. When a toe insert element 52 is in place the enlarged toe functions as and has the appearance of an integral toe. Hence, toes of different shapes and sizes quickly may be provided by mere selection of proper toe insert elements 52 and without need for providing a complete new forepart for each difierent size and shape of toe.

When stretching and shaping shoes, it frequently becomes desirable to raise the vamp and seam at the throat of the vamp directly over the location of the instep of a foot when in the shoe. My invention includes a generally crescent-shaped plate member 54 which may be arranged upon the forepart sections 10, '12 as represented in Figs. 12 and 13, with shape and form to fit over the top and forepart portions for stretching and raising the vamp and seam at the said throat portion of the vamp. The rearwardly extending portions of this plate have shape generally similar to the throat of the vamp and terminate forwardly and at the sides with circular contours generally similar to the vamp. Its rear edge, at the longitudinal centerline of the apparatus or device may have thickness approximating inch and the plate tapers from this point in all directions to relatively thin curving edges. The rear edge, at said center-line has a pin or projection 55 extending downwardly for engaging between the forepart sections 10, 12 to maintain the plate properly centered upon the forepart sections.

When it is desired to raise the vamp and seam at the throat of the vamp, a plate member 54 is placed on the forepart sections, with the pin or projection 55 engaged between the forepart sections or, if the forepart sections are closed together when the plate 54 is mounted, notches (not shown) may be provided in the adjacent edges of the forepart sections for reception of the pin or projection 55. Then, with locking screw 36 in its outer position of Fig. 12, and with retaining yoke 42 in locking position, a right hand rotation of rod 18 will spread the forepart sections and their spreading will force plate 54 gradually upward to effect raising of the vamp and seam. Ordinarily a toe insert element 52 need not be in the apparatus or device when plate 54 is in use.

Figs. 12 and 13 also illustrate how the top rear part and the seam over the edge of the counter and upper of a shoe may be raised by a heel plate element 56 mountable on the heel section 16. This plate 56 fits around the rear part of heel section 16 below the actuating rod 18, it having a projecting pin or lug 57 which may be engaged in a hole 16 in the heel section 16. When it is desired to stretch the rear portion of a shoe, the plate 56 is mounted on heel section 16 and the forepart sections 10, 12 are locked together by locking screw 36. Retaining yoke 42 is moved to released position, followed by insertion of the apparatus or device into a shoe. A right hand rotation of actuating rod 18 will thrust cam element 22 forward until it is stopped against the locked forepart sections, after which further rotation of rod 18 forces heel section 16, and plate 54 thereon, rearward to stretch the rear parts of the shoe.

It should be noted that the lower edge portions of heel section 16 are smoothly rounded inwardly a little, as best seen in Fig. 5, to facilitate insertion of the heel section within a shoe.

Conveniently, the actuating rod 18 may have shoe sizes marked thereon for indicating shoe sizes at the location of passage of the rod into heel section 16. The rod is shown cut away or otherwise flattened at 19, for reception of the shoe size indications.

The locking screw 36 has length approximately equal to the width of one of the forepart sections at the location of the screw. lts threaded portion at 36 may approximate A" in diameter and threadedly engages in threaded hole 38 in forepart section 12 when screwed tight, its head engaging the shoulder 40 on forepart section to securely clamp the two sections together. Release of the forepart sections involves unscrewing screw 36 until its threaded portion is substantially entirely within the threaded hole in forepart section 10.

Actuating rod 18 must be capable of withstanding the stresses and strains put upon it, especially when lengthening a shoe. Hence it should have substantial diameter and, as pointed out earlier herein, it preferably is provided with double threads which should extend throughout an adequate portion of its length to permit performance of the various operations of the apparatus or device. Its forward end may be rotatably connected to cam element 22 in any suitable manner, and its rear end may be quipped with any suitable variety of hand grip 13 to facilitate manual rotations of the rod, which preferably is marked with the shoe size indications at 19' by means of which, in conjunction with the rear of heel section 16, it may be apparent the amount of lengthening or stretching that has been or is to be, imparted to any particular shoe. The size indications conveniently may be impressed upon the flattened portion 19 of rod 18. As herein represented, rod 18 is stamped with the numbers l-6 with the space between successive numbers representing two shoe sizes. As the rod 18 is rotated, the operator may observe on the size scale the degree to 6 which the rod has moved forward or backward relative to heel section 16.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A shoe stretching and lengthening apparatus comprising first and second generally similar forepart sections which together provide a forepart, a single pivot element connecting said forepart sections together at the rear end portions thereof whereby said forepart sections may be moved relatively toward and from each other about the axis of said pivot element, guide means extending longitudinally along the adjacent surfaces of said forepart sections and having opposed cam surfaces at a forward portion of said sections, a cam element mounted for sliding movements along said guide means and adapted to engage said cam surfaces and effect spreading apart of said sections when moved forward between said cam surfaces, an actuating rod rotatably connected at its forward end to said cam element and extending a substantial distance rearwardly beyond said pivot element of the forepart sections, said rod being threaded along a substantial portion of its length, a single heel section entirely rearward of said pivot element and mounted on said rearwardly extending portion of said rod and threadedly engaged therewith, a resilient element connected at one of its ends to said first forepart section and extending rearward around a portion of said heel section and thence forwardly and having its other end connected to said second forepart section, said resilient element being constantly under tension strongly biasing the rear heel section toward engagement with the rear end portions of said forepart sections and also tending to maintain tightness between the threads of said rod and the threads of said rear heel section, and a handle at the rear end of said actuating rod facilitating rotation of said rod thereby to effect positive relative movements of said rear heel section in directions toward and from said forepart sections.

2. A shoe stretching and lengthening apparatus comprising two generally similar forepart sections which together provide a forepart, means pivotally connecting said forepart sections together at the rear end portions thereof whereby said forepart sections may be moved relatively toward and from each other about the axis of said pivotal connection, guide means extending longitudinally along the adjacent surfaces of said forepart sections and having opposed cam surfaces at a forward portion of said sections, a cam element mounted for sliding movements along said guide means and adapted to engage said cam surfaces and-effect spreading apart of said sections when moved forward between said cam surfaces, an actuating rod rotatably connected at its forward end to said cam element and extending a substantial distance rearwardly beyond said pivot element of the forepart sections, said rod being threaded along a substantial portion of its length, a single heel section mounted on said rearwardly extending portion of said rod and threadedly engaged therewith, said heel section having a relatively large cavity in its under side, a coil spring extending around a projection on a wall of said cavity with opposite end portions of the spring extending forwardly in spaced general parallelism each to a point of anchorage on different ones of said forepart sections, whereby said spring tends to maintain said rear heel section against rotational movements relative to the forepart sections while constantly biasing the rear heel section toward said forepart sections, and a handle at the rear end of said actuating rod facilitating rotation of said rod.

3. A shoe stretching and lengthening apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein each of said forepart sections has a substantial cavity therein, and wherein one end portion of said spring extends forward into the cavity in one of said forepart sections and the other end portion of the spring extends forward into the cavity in the other of said forepart sections, there being within each forepart section cavity anchorage means for the respective ends of said spring, and means on each said forepart section defining a passage through which said spring extends, the walls of each said forepart section passage relatively closely confining the portion of said spring Which extends through the passage at a location substantially rearward from said anchorage means.

4. A shoe stretching and lengthening apparatus as described in claim 2 having releasable means for locking said forepart sections in closed together relationship, said means comprising a screw having a head at one end, a threaded portion at the other end with a substantial reduced intervening portion which is free of threads, one

of said forepart sections having a countersunk threaded hole extending transversely entirely through the section, and the other of said forepart sections having an opposite threaded hole therein, said screw being operable to screw its said threaded portion entirely through said countersunk threaded hole in said one forepart section and into the opposite threaded hole in said other time part section until said screw head engages the bottom of said countersink and draws said one forepart section into clamped engagement with said other forepart section, said screw having total length no greater than the Width of said one forepart section whereby it may be unscrewed to an extent whereby it is entirely within only said one forepart section for releasing the forepart sections for relative movements from and toward each other.

5. A shoe stretching and lengthening apparatus as described in claim 2 having releasable means for maintaining said rear heel section against appreciable movement longitudinally away from said forepart sections, said means comprising a yoke pivotally connected to the top surface of said rear heel section and swingable into and out of engagement with said forepart sections, said forepart sections having upstanding portions at the rear end portions thereof around which said yoke engages when swung into engagement with said forepart sections, thereby to retain said rear heel section against rearward movement away from said forepart sections when said actuating rod is rotated to move said carn element forwardly along said guide means.

6. A shoe stretching and lengthening apparatus as described in claim 2 having releasable means for maintaining said rear heel section against appreciable movement longitudinally away from said forepart sections, said means comprising a rigid wire extending loosely through one end portion of a stud whose other end is threaded and screwed into the top surface of said rear heel section, said wire being bent adjacent opposite sides of said stud and having portions extending thence as two spaced arms of a yoke, the similar free ends of said arms being formed as circular eyes, a bridge piece extending between said eyes and having opposite reduced end portions extending through said eyes and headed over to maintain said bridge piece between said yoke arms, said forepart sections having upstanding portions at their rear ends for being engaged back of said bridge piece when said yoke arms and bridge piece are swung about said stud into engagement With said forepart sections.

7. A shoe stretching and lengthening apparatus as described in claim' 2 wherein adjacent surfaces of the said forepart sections have opposed grooves at the toe portions thereof, and wherein a separate insert toe element is removably inserted in a fixed position between the toe portions of said forepart sections When these sections are spread apart, said insert toe element having side ribs thereon for engaging in said grooves when said insert toe element is between and broadening the toe of the apparatus, and said insert toe element providing a smooth continuation of the tip curvatures of said forepart sections thereby to broaden and change the style of a forepart whose length continues substantially the same before and after insertion of said insert toe element.

8. A shoe stretching and lengthening apparatus as described in claim 2 having means thereon for raising the vamp and seam at the throat of the vamp, said means comprising a generally crescent-shaped plate element removably'mounted upon the said forepart sections between said pivotal connection and the toe portion of the forepart, said plate being positioned in straddling relation to the forepart sections at the location where the vamp and seam are to be raised whereby rotation of said actuating rod to spread apart the forepart sections forces said plate upward against said vamp and seam, said plate having a centering projection thereon for removably engaging between the forepart sections.

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